A mum has spoken out about the ordeal facing families of children with autism ... as a new awareness project is launched in Liverpool.

Autism Together, is launching a campaign to make Liverpool one of Britain’s first autism-friendly cities and one family is hoping their story might give others a better understanding of living with the disability.

The Smale family from Woolton are used to other people’s reactions when they are out and about with their nine-year-old son Oliver.

Oliver and his sisters Sophie, 17, and Jodie, 20, had wanted to go to The Alice Experience at St George’s Hall.

It was the first time that the sisters had taken Oliver for a day out without mum or dad.

The visit should have been nothing but good fun, but that’s not the way it turned out.

The sisters had phoned ahead to tell the event’s organisers that one of their party had autism and they had received assurances that Oliver would not have to wait in a queue - something people with autism can find difficult to do.

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When they got to the hall, however, the message had not got through to the staff on the door.

Mum Jen told the ECHO: “They were really excited and did everything they were taught to do. They gave advance notice, but when they got there they were kept waiting. Staff tutted when Oliver had a meltdown.

“They (event staff) were just making smart comments. Sophie and Jodie felt uncomfortable when they were saying ‘Can’t you stop him?’”

"People don’t realise what an impact it has"

Jen said they were shouted at and escorted away.

She added: “Jodie and Sophie were crying and upset and the more upset they were getting, the more upset he got and they came home hysterical.

“They had made all the right preparations and it still didn’t work.

“It will take me years to build their confidence up again to take him out on a trip.

“People don’t realise what an impact it has, not just on Oliver, but on the whole family. We already struggle to socialise and go to restaurants. When you go out into the outside world it all falls flat.

“People just think it’s tantrums, but it’s not.”

It’s by no means the first time the Smales have had difficulties with people’s reactions to Oliver. The Smales have had people move tables in restaurants to get away from them and trouble with the way Oliver was treated when passing through airport security.

The Alice Experience was organised by Crosby-based charity In Another Place. The event attracted 15,700 visitors over a two-week period.

Charity operations manager Joe Magill said the charity has already spoken to the family to offer its apologies.

Mr Magill told the ECHO: “It was a series of really unfortunate events.”

He said that another autism charity, Autism Initiatives, had helped make the props for the event and a personalised tour was provided for clients of that charity.

Mr Magill said: “We are an inclusive charity and we work with adults with varying needs. We are desperate to be fully inclusive.”